American History: Terms List 2

French Revolution

In 1789, the French Revolution began, largely supported by Americans. This revolution was marked by chaos and led to the falling of the monarchy, and the execution of Marie Antoinette. Led to rise in democracy.

Reign of Terror

By 1792, French Revolution had escalated to become the Reign of Terror. Maximilian Robespierre ‘went crazy’ and started executing thousands of French citizens. (invention of the guillotine)

Neutrality Proclamation

George Washington declared the US would stay neutral and not pick a side (France or England) during war between England and France. This upset both countries. (Washington knew we were too weak as a nation to join a war)

Democratic Republicans wanted us to support France: they were our ally during revolutionary war

Federalists: wanted us to support England because we trade more with them

Jay’s Treaty

George Washington signs a treaty that says England will give us back the ships they stole if we pay them money we owe, if they take their soldiers out of America, but they don’t promise to stop taking our ships/soldiers. This angered American citizens, and following this Treaty, Washington stepped down as president.

Quasi war

France was angry with the US for signing Jay’s treaty with England, as a result they started taking our ships and practicing impressment. John Adams wanted to avoid war with France, so he sent American diplomats to France to discuss and come to a resolution.

XYZ affair

When American diplomats went to France, met French Diplomats referred to as “X, Y and, Z” that made them pay $100,000 to even get their prime minister to enter the room. (rude way of saying they wouldn’t stop taking American ships) This made Americans very angry and call for war with France (remember political cartoon of this delegate meeting)

Alien and Sedition acts

required naturalization (becoming a citizen) take 14 years instead of 5.

Alien: if you were not a citizen of the country and you criticized the country, you were deported immediately

sedition: if you criticized the government at all, you were thrown in jail

• sedition: talking about treason but not committing it

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

James Madison and Thomas Jefferson write these protests against the Federalist and the Alien and Sedition acts that claim that the federal government overstepped its constitutional authority and that the states should protest and nullify these laws.

unites the democratic republicans and the anti-federalists into one group who will run against the federalists in the upcoming 1800 election.

Democratic Republican Party

Revolution of 1800